Alumni Stories
Manelle Maguella – Alumni Stories
Academy: Harris Academy Rainham
Current Role: English Undergraduate Student at the University of Oxford
1. Tell us a bit about your background.
I went to Harris Academy Rainham, where I was fortunate to take on roles like Deputy Head Girl and peer mentor, opportunities that helped shape both my confidence and leadership style. I loved being involved in school productions and coordinating charity events. These early experiences really taught me the value of communication, organisation, and giving back to the community.
2. What path did you take after school?
After completing my A-Levels at Brampton Manor Academy in English Literature, Psychology, and Sociology, I went on to study English Language and Literature at the University of Oxford. While at university, I’ve taken on several exciting roles, including College and University Outreach Ambassador, and I was appointed Junior PR Officer for the Oxford African and Caribbean Society. I am also a frequent attendee of Law society! Each of these experiences has helped me develop my skills in public speaking, teamwork, and networking.
3. What motivates and inspires you?
I’ve always been driven by the power of language and storytelling. Studying English has allowed me to explore voices from across time and cultures, and that really inspires me, especially as a young woman navigating academic and professional spaces. I’m also passionate about social mobility and creating access for others, which is why I’ve been involved with organisations like Zero Gravity, The Sutton Trust, and the Social Mobility Foundation.
4. What are your current plans?
Right now, I’m focusing on making the most of my time at Oxford, academically and beyond. I’m also exploring the legal field, having completed placements with the Bar Council and numerous solicitor firms, and taken part in programmes like Pathways to Law. Long term, I’m hoping to build a career where I can use both my voice and my platform, whether that’s in law, advocacy, or educational outreach, to create change and support others.
5. Do you have any advice for current students?
My top three pieces of advice can be applied to life and school!
1) What you withhold from the world, the world withholds from you:
If you don’t share your effort, talents, or ideas, the world won’t reward you with opportunities, feedback, or recognition.
A student who’s great at art but never submits work to school competitions or helps with posters for school events might stay unnoticed. But if they start sharing their work, teachers may recommend them for opportunities, or classmates might ask them to join creative projects.
2) If even YOU don’t believe you can do it, why should anyone else? :
Confidence fuels credibility. If you doubt yourself, others will pick up on that hesitation and won’t see your potential.
When applying for sixth forms, a student who writes a vague or unsure personal statement likely won’t impress recruiters. But if they show clear belief in their goals and qualifications, their confidence makes their case stronger.
3) If you don’t like what you are getting, change what you are giving! :
Results are often reflections of our actions or attitudes. To get different outcomes, you must shift your input.
If a student keeps getting poor grades, rather than blaming the system, they can change their study habits: join a study group, attend revision classes, or improve time management to see different results.
Scarlet Hermida Escobar – Alumni Stories
Academy: Harris Academy Rainham
Current Role: Biomedical Sciences Undergraduate at the University of Reading
1. Tell us a bit about your background.
I grew up in a first-generation immigrant household, and for a long time, university felt more like a distant hope than a clear goal. Going to Harris Academy Rainham really helped change that. It gave me the space to explore different interests and figure out what I enjoyed, whether that was in science, creative subjects, or just learning about the world in general. The support I got there helped me build confidence and realise that I didn’t have to limit myself that I could aim high and actually get there.
2. What path did you take after school?
After sixth form, I went straight to uni and started studying Biomedical Sciences in 2022. Since then, I’ve also worked part-time in different retail and beauty roles at Moss Bros, Beaverbrooks, and now Benefit Cosmetics as a Brows and Beauty Expert. Balancing work and uni has definitely been a challenge, but it’s helped me become more organised, independent, and confident when speaking to people from all walks of life.
3. What motivates and inspires you?
Growing up as a first-generation immigrant, success has always felt like something I had to chase for myself and for my family. Getting into university wasn’t something that felt guaranteed, so I’ve learned to work hard and take every opportunity seriously. Along the way, I’ve also come to realise that failing is part of the process and that trying and giving it your all is always better than holding back out of fear. That mindset motivates me daily. I’m inspired by the idea of making a real difference in people’s lives, whether that’s through science, helping others feel confident in themselves, or simply showing up and giving my best in any role I take on.
4. What are your current plans?
Right now, I’m focused on finishing my degree and securing a great job in healthcare. I want to explore different areas before deciding on one path. That might mean trying out clinical roles, research, or something more behind the scenes like medical communications or the pharmaceutical industry. I think it’s important to stay open and gain experience so I can figure out what really suits me and what I enjoy most.
5. Do you have any advice for current students?
Give everything your best shot. It’s always better to know you tried, even if it doesn’t work out, than to live with “what ifs.” I’ve learned that failing isn’t the worst thing that can happen, but holding yourself back because you’re scared to fail definitely is. Whether something goes well or not, you’ll always grow from the experience, and that’s what really matters. Be proud of the effort you put in, not just the result.
And don’t box yourself in. You don’t have to be just one thing or follow one path. Humans are meant to be curious, creative, and multi-dimensional, that’s what makes us amazing. You can love science and beauty, or healthcare and fashion, or anything in between. Explore it all. The mix of everything you care about is what makes you, you.
All past pupils of Harris Academy Rainham are members of the HAR alumni community.
We love to hear from past pupils and hear details of what you are doing now. Click HERE to join our alumni network.
Harris Academy Rainham runs a comprehensive careers programme for all year groups and we welcome help from past pupils with careers events. If you would like to offer help with a careers event please do get in touch by joining our alumni network.
